Winners put focus on living green

Virginia Casey and Balcatta Senior High School have taken out the `art to inspire’ award at the recently announced City of Stirling Living Green Awards.

The inspirational Balcatta entrants are among 16 winners, including residents, businesses, community groups and schools, who were recognised for their efforts to make the City more sustainable.

It was Virginia’s environmental art that caught the eye of judges – a talent which has seen her turn rubbish picked up on local beaches into works of art which is then displayed at educational facilities to teach kids about the reduction of waste.

Creating and showing the works, which act as promotional products for sustainability, is something Virginia admits to really enjoying. She said:

“Not only do I love removing the debris from our lovely beaches and saving wildlife, I also enjoy the colours it makes in my art – bright like the 1980s.”

She added that displaying her art in school classes was not only an opportunity for students to learn about sustainability, but also to see something creative.

Successful entrants also included resident David Hynes, who saved the optimum of trees during a recent site redevelopment, and 10-year-old Sophia Bell who established a free library located on the street’s verge near her home.